Latin

Alternative forms

Suffix

-ulus m ‎(feminine -ula, neuter -ulum); first/second declension

1. Used to form a diminutive of a noun, indicating small size or youth.

Usage notes

The suffix -ulus is added to a noun to form a diminutive of that noun.

Examples:

calx ‎(“limestone, game counter”) + ‎-ulus → ‎calculus ‎(“pebble, little stone”)

rēx ‎(“king”) + ‎-ulus → ‎rēgulus ‎(“prince, petty king”)

parvus ‎(“small, little”) + ‎-ulus → ‎parvulus ‎(“little”)

Inflection

First/second declension.

Derived terms

• -uleus

Descendants

• English: -ule
• Italian: -olo, -ola
• Spanish: -uelo, -uela

References

• The Formation of Latin Diminutives of Nouns and Adjectives